A Study on the Influence of Citizen Journalism on the Political Participation of Youths in Kogi State

This study investigates the influence of citizen journalism on the political participation of youths in Kogi State, Nigeria. With a projected 2024 population of approximately 4,641,005 people, the research employs a sample size of 384, utilizing Agenda-setting Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory as its theoretical framework. The objectives of the study include determining the extent to which citizen journalism platforms engage youths in political discourse and assessing the impact of these platforms on their political opinions and attitudes. Findings reveal that citizen journalism significantly shapes the political opinions of the respondents, with 56.3% indicating that their views are either very much or much influenced by these platforms. This supports the assertion by Gil de Zúñiga et al. (2021) that citizen journalism offers a potent alternative to traditional media by presenting diverse perspectives that can challenge or reinforce existing political beliefs. Furthermore, the study shows that 50% of respondents frequently change their political stance based on information obtained from citizen journalism, highlighting the persuasive power of these platforms. The research also uncovers a relatively high level of trust in citizen journalism, with 56.3% of respondents expressing trust in the information provided by these platforms. This trust is crucial, as it underpins the credibility and effectiveness of citizen journalism in shaping public opinion. The study concludes that the decentralized and authentic nature of citizen journalism plays a vital role in engaging and influencing the political behavior of youths in Kogi State, making it a significant force in the contemporary media landscape.